It's been a few years since I've gone on a cruise.  I've done it about six different times and loved it everytime.  I like it because you can actually figure an exact amount of money that you need (assuming you aren't much of a drinker or gambler.)  Even if you're a gambler, you just need to budget an exact amount per day that you are willing to lose and stick to it.

Another reason I always loved to cruise is because for that couple of days you are treated like you are really someone special.  Well, I just got back from a six day cruise and they've changed the way the passenger tips.  They used to give you a bunch of envelopes for to put your tips for each of the different service people.  They always gave you a recommended amount but ultimately you tipped according to the service you received.  This meant all the service personnel would really try to impress you and do a good job in hopes of a good tip.  Not so now.  Now they automatically take the tip from your registered charge card and I think this was a huge mistake.

They do tell you in the small print in the big brochure that you get when you book, that if you are not happy with your service you can get with the Purser and change the tip. But if you've ever cruised you know that this can be a serious hassle...waiting in lines and trying to get your point across to someone who seems they are just learning English.  I'm guessing for most people (myself included), its just not worth the trouble to take $10 off your total tip because the waitress sucked. 

I've worked in the service industry so I do understand that they were trying to protect the income of the staff from people who gamble away all their money and then have nothing left to tip service folks who did a great job.  However, what I found on this trip was that the service was far below anything I ever remembered.  The Maitre'D never left his podium at the front of the dining room, the waitress never smiled at us and seemed truly annoyed at any request for extra butter or extra anything.  The room porter got irritated when we slept in and then left the room when he had already come once (at 8am) to clean up our room.

I hate to say it, but practically guaranteeing the tip seems to have taken their incentive away for doing a great job.  I was very disappointed in almost every person we dealt with.  I think next time I'll try an all-inclusive resort and see how that goes...cruising just isn't as special as it used to be!